The launch comes nearly five months after AOL re-entered Asia-Pacific with local-language sites in Hong Kong and Taiwan, each of which is headed up by AOL China’s VP and GM Norman Koo (pictured).
Prior to 2005, AOL operated as a dial-up ISP and had websites in China, Japan and Hong Kong, yet the brand shifted operations that year to become a portal and sold its local holdings to regional partners.
Prior to 2005, AOL operated as a dial-up ISP and had websites in China, Japan and Hong Kong, yet the brand shifted operations that year to become a portal and sold its local holdings to regional partners.
Insiders had speculated for months that AOL would launch a Chinese site. Rumours were further fuelled in May after the company reportedly set up a research team called Aolong Technology Development that included three divisions to research next-generation technology, mobile and online publishing.
AOL currently runs 33 localised portals, including eight in Asia Pacific.
